A combination of a lack of trust in politicians and experts and a failure to believe in the economic benefits of EU membership mean that it is not inevitable that the public would turn against Brexit if faced with an economic downturn, Prof John Curtice argues in a new paper published today by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen).

The leading independent research institute, ScotCen Social Research, has today announced a wider remit for its “What Scotland Thinks” website, which will now focus on how Scottish attitudes towards independence have evolved in the wake of Britain’s decision to leave the European Union.